Pundits discuss “disappointing” decision from Chelsea star which has cost his team hugely

Chelsea’s much hyped game against Arsenal is being reduced to a pantomime after a first half red card for Moises Caicedo.

The Ecuador star went in far too dangerously on Mikel Merino, and after a VAR review, the ref decided he had to send the midfielder off. Theo Walcott is on Sky Sports punditry duties, and he gave his thoughts on the challenge:

“The disappointing thing is why he’s making the tackle in that position,” Walcott said.

“He’s been really hungry and forward to win the ball, but in that moment Chelsea are on top, he doesn’t have to commit.

“Its a red card when you slow it down, it looks worse. But I agree with Daniel, the fact you’ve been given a yellow initially kind of slowed it down, being re-reffed.”

Daniel Sturridge had similar views:

“The only defence I can mount is that the referee has a good view and decides to give him a yellow card. Slowed down, it looks nasty. But initially the ref gives him a yellow card. It is slightly re-refereed, and he’s gone with the VAR help.

“But if you look at it in high speed, it doesn’t seem that bad of a tackle. It looks horrible when it’s slowed down.

Chelsea forced to shut up shop and hope for the best

Moises Caicedo’s tackle on Mikel Merino.

This was an ugly game already, and it’s only going to get uglier now. Chelsea are going to slow down the game as much as possible and throw themselves to the ground at every opportunity to try and get referee Anthony Taylor to level them up.

Estevao Willian has already come off at half time, showing the team’s intentions from this point on. They can still win this, but against the best team in Europe that’s going to be incredibly hard.

In other news…

Chelsea were reduced to ten men by the nasty tackle from Moises Caicedo, which you can see here.

Estevao isn’t the only interesting player given a start by Enzo Maresca today, you can see the full team lineup here.